More than 250,000 volunteers wanted for major study into mystery of soaring bowel cancer rates in under-50s
Researchers at King's College London and health science company Zoe are recruiting more than 250,000 volunteers for a major study investigating why bowel cancer rates are soaring in adults under 50. Early-onset bowel cancer, once primarily a disease of older adults, has increased substantially worldwide since 1990, with the UK experiencing one of the fastest rising rates. Obesity is suspected as a potential contributing factor, but the true causes remain unclear, prompting this large-scale research effort.
The study, known as Prospect-UK, aims to track participants' diet and lifestyle factors over time. Cases of bowel cancer among people aged 25 to 49 in the UK have risen by 62.3 per cent since the early 1990s, increasing from approximately 8 cases per 100,000 people in 1993/95 to 13 per 100,000 in 2018/21. Participants will complete online questionnaires and allow researchers to link their data to electronic health records; a smaller subset will provide detailed diet diaries, blood and stool samples. Approximately 60 per cent of UK calorie intake comes from highly processed foods, which researchers will examine in detail to understand their potential link to early-onset bowel cancer.
- 250,000+ volunteers sought for study into rising young-onset bowel cancer
- Cases in 25-49 age group surged 62.3 per cent since the early 1990s
- Diet and lifestyle factors being investigated as possible causes
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Bowel cancer in adults under 50 is becoming more common, particularly in the UK. This disease was once primarily found in older people, but cases among those aged 25 to 49 have risen by more than 60 per cent since the early 1990s. The reasons for this increase are not yet understood, making this a significant public health concern.
Researchers at King's College London and the health company Zoe are launching a large-scale study called Prospect-UK to investigate the causes. They are recruiting more than 250,000 volunteers who will share information about their diet and lifestyle, with some providing blood, stool and detailed diet records. The study aims to identify factors that might explain why younger people are developing bowel cancer at higher rates.
Obesity is suspected as a possible contributor, but scientists believe the answer is more complex. The UK diet is notable for its high proportion of highly processed foods, which researchers will examine closely as a potential factor. Understanding these causes could help identify ways to prevent early-onset bowel cancer in the future.
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